As the government has laid out it’s roadmap out of lockdown, we once again face the prospect of face-to-face interviews.
In reality, we don’t think video interviews will go away anytime soon but we do think it’s time to consider the prospect of getting back out into the real world and preparing for the inevitable.
When you get the call to say you’ve got an interview for the job you applied for, it’s exciting but it can also bring with it feelings of nervousness and anxiety. That’s normal. Just try not to imagine yourself facing the likes of Claude Littner in an Apprentice style interview. That really isn’t reality!
The first thing you need to do is congratulate yourself. You have been recognised as someone that the employer would like to meet and that’s a huge achievement in itself.
So, let’s get down to it.
How to impress at a face-to-face interview.
We’ve been at this for a good few year now and are in a pretty good position to offer some tips and advice. Just think of us as your ‘fairy job mother’.
Here goes;
- First impressions count
You quite literally have about a tenth of a second to make a great first impression so being late, dressing in a track suit or slouching in your seat is not a great way to start. Walk in, head held high and look like you want to be there.
- Dress to impress
Whatever the role, you need to look the part. Even if you’re applying to be a gym instructor, a smart look will always impress.
If you are seeking a role in a corporate organisation, nothing less than a freshly ironed suit will do.
Don’t think that just because we live in a casual world that you can get away with not making an effort. You can’t.
- Look smart
Make sure you have spent time on your appearance. A messy bun or chipped nails really won’t cut it. They want to know you take pride in yourself. You will be representing the company if you get offered the role.
- Look interested
We know your nervous, but body language is everything at an interview. If you slouch or look like you’re about to burst in to tears or even worse, drift off as the interviewer is speaking with you, the interview won’t last long.
Sit up straight, smile, listen and respond when appropriate. Use gestures to show you really understand the context of the conversation.
- Be prepared
Whenever you apply for a job, we recommend researching the company.
One of the first questions you may be asked is “what do you know about our organisation?”. Not having a clue isn’t going to paint a great picture so do your research and learn as much as you possibly can about the business.
- Tip – Head to LinkedIn and search for employees. You can tell a lot about a business from the people who work from them.
If you can go into detail about the company, it will impress. It shows you are keen, and you have consciously applied to them. It wasn’t for the sake of it.
- Practice your answers
You can’t predict what you are going to asked but the chances are, it will be competency based.
This means that the interviewer will ask you questions based on your experience.
For example, “tell me about a time you faced a challenging situation and how did you deal with it?”
- Know your CV
The interviewer will have your resume in front of them, so they don’t need you to recite it. You need to know it inside out and then expand on the information you’ve already given.
Don’t be animated. When talking about a specific element of your CV, expand on the details, show enthusiasm, be clear and concise. Don’t waffle!
- Be early
An interview wants to know that you can be punctual and manage your time well. Don’t aim to arrive on time, aim to arrive ten minutes early. Not only will this give a great impression, but it will also give you the opportunity to gather your thoughts, breath and get ready.
- Ask questions
This is possibly the most important piece of advice we could give you. At the end of the interview, it’s likely that you will be asked if you have any questions. Say yes!
Prepare in advance and ask questions such as “what are the future prospects of the role?”, “Could you tell me a little more about the history of the company?” “What will a typical day look like?”
Stay away from salary and benefits. Yes, you need to know but at this stage, it’s about showing that you really want the job and it’s about more than just your wages.
Remember that an interview isn’t just for them to get to know you but an opportunity for you to get to know them. They need to sell themselves to you as much as you to them.
In conclusion
Be confident. You are there for a reason. You are qualified and capable to do the role and you were offered an interview because that was recognised. The interviewer is already interested in you so relax and show them what you can do.
Best of luck!